Project Program Manager III

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a transformational Program/Project Manager III. This position is based within the Director's Office team whose mission it is to drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and excellence in the Rail Division through communication, project management, business intelligence, and problem-solving, fostering a healthy and equitable work environment for all employees. This role will support event planning and programs and projects spanning five operational sections within Rail—Business & Administration, Facilities, Operations, Vehicle Maintenance, and Wayside. This dynamic position requires the ability to jump between program management, project management, policy and process administration, and hands-on event coordination.  
 
This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) career service position. This requisition may be used to generate an eligibility list for future similar career service positions that may occur in this classification within the Rail Division. The eligibility list would be valid for twelve months upon creation and may be extended at the discretion of the hiring authority. 

About King County Metro Transit's Rail Division 
King County Metro is the exclusive partner and operations and maintenance provider to Sound Transit's Link Light Rail system. Light Rail is the backbone of Puget Sound's mobility future. With fast, frequent, reliable connections, the system is poised for significant expansion during this decade. 

As the alignment continues to grow, it will influence and inform Metro's investments of resources well into the future. In order to strategically and effectively manage such a significant, accelerated rate of growth, the Division Director's Office has established the following strategic priorities to address what matters most: 

• Meet our obligation to Sound Transit and the region through effective expansion of staff who operate and maintain the light rail system 
• Build a culture of care, belonging and inclusion where all employees can thrive 
• Ensure safe, high-quality operations for employees and customers 
• Strengthen partnerships with Sound Transit (Link) 

King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. 

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all our residents, regardless of their race or income. All these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
 
Work Schedule and Location:
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. The work week is normally Monday through Friday, [standard work hours] between 6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., may require working a flex schedule when necessary. This position offers a hybrid work schedule that combines telecommuting with occasional on-site work at the Operations and Maintenance Facility-Central (3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA). Some work out of other locations may be required, including the new Operations and Maintenance Facility – East (1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA).A priority focus of this position is Employee Engagement and fostering a Culture of Care. This will include applying program and project management skills to lead event planning efforts focused on employee appreciation, gathering and responding to employee feedback, and supporting initiatives that improve morale and build a healthy workplace culture. Approximately 50% of time will be allocated to this set of job duties, with fluctuations based on timing of engagement events and activities. The remaining 50% of job duties will focus on program and project management activities that support the Rail Division strategic priorities.    

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. 

As a Rail PPM III, you will:

• Lead projects that align with the four strategic priorities of the Rail Division (foster a culture of care, provide operational excellence, deliver on time expansions, and maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with our partners in rail service delivery). Example projects include leading after-action reviews to improve operational efficiencies, establishing new job classifications, and facilitating the adoption of new technologies. 
• Work in partnership with line level craft employees, senior leadership, and the Director’s Office team (program/project managers, change management and internal communications professionals, and data analysts) to advance projects, identify needs, assign tasks, and support program and project success. 
• Utilize communication skills to develop, nurture, and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups. 
• Use various tools, including project management software and office applications, to manage project timelines and deliverables. 
• Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects, with a focus on sustainability and system improvement. 
• Serve as a system of support and a critical problem-solver for leadership from across the Rail Division.  
• Conduct research on industry best practices and determine applicability to the Rail operating environment.  
• Facilitate discussions and workshops with diverse teams from across the Division to gather input and translate ideas into action.  
• Identify metrics to measure success of projects, programs, and events.  
• Integrate social justice principles into all projects, while identifying equity impacts of programs, projects, and employee engagement efforts on a diverse and large, deskless workforce.     
• Manage a combination of in-person and virtual project and program work spanning 3 base locations across the Link Light Rail service area. 
• Support the scheduling and coordination of workshops, meetings, training sessions, and project teams. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these minimum qualifications: 

• Three (3) years of project or program management experience including initiating, planning, executing, and closing out projects to achieve specific goals OR equivalent knowledge/experience to be successful in this role. 
• Must be able to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and operate with strong attention to detail.  
• Must be able to work independently and in a collaborative team environment. 
• Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.  
• Be an effective communicator using both oral and written communications, including comfortability facilitating meetings with diverse stakeholder groups.  
• Knowledge of equity and social Justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate on these topics.  
• Experience collaborating with and presenting information to a diverse group of employees, including line-level staff and executive leadership.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel.   
• Ability to successfully navigate ambiguous environments, shift priorities as needed, and create clarity amidst uncertainty. 
• Ability to balance on-going projects with responding to urgent needs and requests from Rail leadership. Must approach challenges with a willingness to engage in problem-solving and be an active listener.  
• Willingness to take on other duties as assigned and support peers in advancing the goals of the Rail Director’s Office.  
• Possess a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver’s license upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off-site locations. 

Desirable Qualifications (Not Required)

• Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency.  
• Experience working in an Operations, Maintenance, or Service Delivery environment with a large, deskless workforce. 
• Experience with event coordination or planning.  
• Experience utilizing various technologies to improve project management, enhance program success, and measure impact (i.e., Miro, Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, Tableau).   
• Experience managing budgets and supporting event planning and/or projects or programs in a resource-constrained environment. 
• Experience leading continuous improvement efforts, including planning and facilitating workshops.  
• Experience tracking outcomes using quantitative and qualitative measures.  
  

Who may apply: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, different perspectives, and life experiences, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact: Khadija Al-mohanawy, HR Analyst, at kalmohanawy@kingcounty.gov.

Application Process: 
Forms and Materials Required 
If you are interested in this position, follow the application instructions carefully. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. All relevant experience must be included in the application. 
2. Responses to Supplemental Questions. Please provide narrative responses to the questions. Do not copy and paste from your resume in response to Supplemental Questions. Doing so will result in an incomplete application, unless the submitted information completely and directly answers the questions posed. 
3. An attached resume

Applications that do not include the required materials, may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. 

Application materials will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review.  

Union Representation/Job Code/Grade
PPM III: PROTEC 17/2441300/Grade 63

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Khadija Al-mohanawy, HR Analyst, at kalmohanawy@kingcounty.gov 
 
Teleworking Requirement The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment that is predominately remote telework completed with occasional on-site attendance as needed at Operations and Maintenance Facility Central located at 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134. Some work out of other locations may be required, including the Operations and Maintenance Facility - East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA and any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

Employee will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employee will be provided with a Sound Transit issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
 
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Salary : $53 - $65